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This is my latest BSA, a '68/69 Firebird dressed as a Lightning.



I'm wondering whether it will get sold soon... My kicking leg hasn't healed well enough to trust it, so it's "iffy"...

This was one of those scruffy 441s that I restored for a guy, then delivered to California (combo trip to drop one other bike, and pick up one other bike)



If it would have had BOTH alloy wheels, we might have left them on...

Here's my 1969 Thunderbolt as I got it [img]https://photos.app.goo.gl/XfttmB5oHKEspc9a7[/img]

Hi Edalfa, remove the first “http://" from your link to show your photo

Peter

My latest basket case.

Bob, what is that shiny bit just off the top left of the oil tank?

Gordon

Decompressor lever

Paul, he has the stock decompressor lever on the bars in the right place.

My guess is choke lever...?

Actually a friend of mine had one in pretty much the same location, but on the opposite side of the bike (67 Victor). I never asked him, but maybe the stock cable is just that length? Dunno, as I've never installed one...

(then again, stock for what?... VS didn't come with them. Seems I've seen them there on some other bikes... some Goldstars?)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/274687457710

Can't tell if this is what Bob has... of course this is all meaningless if it turns out to be a beer bottle opener.

Edit- seems I'm responding to posts that don't exist...must be those damn robots?

I just cleaned it up a bit. Not sure if this is the right place to be having this conversation. I couldn't see very well off my phone....but it wasn't much better from home. It just doesn't look like two cables running into the top of the carb. I put a choke on all of mine.......not that I use them all the time but they are there.

Bob'll let us know.


Gordon..........no robot here

Hi Gordon, That shiny thingamabob would be my TriCor oil filter setup. Tripple type. Fits well under the seat above the rear fender. It’s odd being in a horizontal position, but the T140 filter sepup is also horizontal. Easy to drain and change filters. On the bars are: Horn button (left), levers, stock decompression lever, no choke. Beer opener is in the tool box, beer still in fridge. Nobody mentioned my MGA In the background.

That's actually pretty crafty IMO.

And now we know the rest of the story!

Thank you sir

Gordon

I'm usually a Triumph or Ducati guy...I built this A10 from a mismatched parts in about 9 months.. It's a decent ride...

Just "decent", Tony? Looks like a blast! What's the front end & wheel? SLS brake? How's that seat? Looks a little thin...

New bike day



Desperatly seeking b33/A10 touring brake lever for left hand brake...

Here's my '67 Victor Enduro





It was running, and stopped before it ended up in my hands. Here's from the day it came home with me.



It had the original ET ignition, but at some point in the past someone wired one of the coils together so that it shorted out. Thus, the engine stopped running right before I got it. Now has an alternator, regulator, capacitor (or battery depending on the need), regular coil, and a special relay kit so that the lights only come on when it's running. It's still a bit of a work in progress but it's getting there. I'm not going for all original obviously, but something functional that I can ride while camping and exploring trails off-road.

Clay

Like the clean look. What is the story on the seat? Looks like it could maybe be stock modified, or something like a Sportster seat maybe?

Steve, the seat is interesting to be sure. When I got the bike I was told that it was custom made, however it came with a dual seat as well. The seat pan does look custom built and is made of thick steel. It's very possible that someone used something like a sportster seat and modified/ re-covered it. I can say it's comfortable although it may sit a tad higher than the dual seat.

A box of parts came with the bike but I don't think they all came from this bike. The dual seat that was in the box needs foam and recovering if I want to use it, but with the spark arrestor in place it prevents use of the pillion foot peg on the right side. I don't know if that dual seat actually came on this bike or not...

Clay

To all of you with 441 Victors:

Have you installed chokes in their carbs?

My '69 Victor was a real "beach" to start until I discovered that taking the air filter off and kicking it through twice, ignition off and a hand over the mouth of the carb got enough gas in the cylinder to fire it up.

[quote=Irish Swede]To all of you with 441 Victors:

Have you installed chokes in their carbs?

My '69 Victor was a real "beach" to start until I discovered that taking the air filter off and kicking it through twice, ignition off and a hand over the mouth of the carb got enough gas in the cylinder to fire it up.[/quote

I have 4 BSA unit singles tagged and on the road. I have chokes on all 4. But I tend to tune to the rich side and don't always have to use them.

Gordon

Why didn't you tell me that 50 years ago?

Irish Swede,

I have no choke on mine, just what might be the original AMAL carb with the tickler. Usually my starting practice is:
Key off
Fuel on
Gently kick the engine through a few times to cycle some oil
Tickle carb
Kick through another stroke
Key on - Kick again

It usually fires pretty quickly. On the capacitor, it might take a couple more tries for it to get enough charge to fire if it's been sitting for a while. My vid from camping at the coast shows this procedure on a cold engine, that hadn't been run for a month or more.


Clay

I’m trying to figure out what you’re doing with that rear loop???

Gordon

The rear loop Top secret!

I'm using it as a rack. My plan was to use it to get firewood while camping, and it worked really well for that. It came in the box of parts but I don't think it came off this bike. I knew it might look a little funny...

Clay